Circular hike around the Letzbergweiher lake – Schönau in the Black Forest

The walking tour starts at the Tourist Information Centre in Schönau (Gentnerstraße 2a, 79677 Schönau im Schwarzwald).

Parking: Free of charge at the fire station in Schönau (Bifangstraße 1, 79677 Schönau im Schwarzwald)
Public transport stop: Schönau, Zentrum

(S/E) We begin our roughly two-hour walk at the Tourist Information Centre on Gentnerstraße, and head north towards Kirchgasse. Via Kirchgasse, we reach Hintere Hofmatt, where we turn left and then right onto Kirchbühlstraße, which we follow to the left. We turn right onto Sonnhalde and then right again onto Belchenweg.

(1) From here, a narrow, gently ascending path leads off to the left for about 1.5 km towards Aitern. We then turn left onto the wide path, cross it and, after about 20 metres, turn right and head uphill onto the Philosophenweg. Along the Philosophenweg, the philosophical plaques invite you to read and reflect. This section of the Philosophenweg is also known as the Anton-Schelshorn-Weg. We walk to the end of the path, which from here on descends gently, and after about 800 metres we keep slightly to the left – staying on the Philosophenweg the whole time.

(2) A seating area above the Letzbergweiher, with a fantastic view towards Michelrütte, invites you to linger and rest. After a short break, we follow the narrow path for about 0.6 km to the end of the Philosophenweg. We then keep to the left uphill and walk along the wide path – past Hasenheim – towards Letzberg.

(3) At the end of the path, we come to another viewpoint from which we can enjoy a beautiful view of the glacial striations with the Letzberg sports ground and, in the background, the Black Forest town of Schönau. The path then bends slightly to the right and we keep slightly to the right again until we reach the start of the Philosphenweg via the narrow path.

Shortly afterwards, we cross the sports ground, turn left onto the return route past the former Schlageter monument and rejoin the path we took on the way there. Once again, via the Belchenweg and the Sonnhalde, we return to the starting point on Gentnerstraße (S/E).

How to get there:
From Freiburg: Take the B31 towards Donaueschingen, taking the Kirchzarten / Oberried / Todtnau exit. Follow the L126 to Todtnau, then take the B317 towards Lörrach; after 7 km, you will arrive at your destination in Schönau im Schwarzwald. At the district court and the Eckert flower meadow, turn left towards Tunau. After 50 m, the car park is on the right-hand side.

From Donaueschingen: Take the B31 towards Freiburg, then take the Feldberg/Todtnau exit. Follow the B317 to Schönau in the Black Forest. Turn left at the District Court and the Eckert flower meadow towards Tunau. The car park is on the right-hand side after 50 m.

From Lörrach: Take the B317 from Lörrach towards Donaueschingen as far as Schönau im Schwarzwald. Turn right at the district court and the Blumenwiese Eckert towards Tunau. The car park is on the right-hand side after 50 metres.

Travelling by public transport:
From Freiburg: Take the regional train towards Seebrugg/Neustadt (Schw.), alight at Kirchzarten station, take bus 7215 to Todtnau, then change to bus 7300 towards Zell i.W. – alight at Schönau, centre

From Donaueschingen: Take the regional train towards Seebrugg/Neustadt (Schw.), alight at Neustadt railway station, then change to the regional train to Titisee railway station; from there, take bus 7300 to the ‘Schönau, Zentrum’ stop

From Lörrach: Take the S6 regional train towards Zell im Wiesental, then change to bus 7300 towards Titisee – get off at Schönau, centre

Equipment
Sturdy footwear is recommended just in case.

Further information
Further information on hiking in the Belchen region of the Black Forest can be found here: http://schwarzwaldregion-belchen.de/de/wandern/

🍽️ Places to stop for refreshments:
Hotel-Gasthof Vier Löwen
Talstraße 18
79677 Schönau